šŸŒ Trumpā€™s trade war

Plus: What are tariffs anyway?

US President Donald Trump in Miami, Florida on January 27, 2025.
US President Donald Trump in Miami, Florida on January 27, 2025.
Image: Mandel NGAN / AFP (Getty Images)
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Good morning, Quartz readers!


Hereā€™s what you need to know

U.S. President Donald Trumpā€™s new tariffs are here. With taxes on imports from Canada, China, and Mexico, prices are set to rise ā€“ and Quartz has compiled a guide on what to know.

Trump has spared Mexico, one of the U.S.ā€™s top trade partners. U.S. taxes on Mexican goods wonā€™t take effect until March, but discussions are expected to continue.

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The same goes for Canada, which is also working to beef up border security to combat the flow of fentanyl, as it also continues discussions with Trump.

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ā€¦ Meanwhile, business leaders and experts, including Mark Cuban and Larry Summers, are criticizing the tariffs, calling them ā€œeconomically illogical.ā€

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Those pesky tariffs could disrupt Temu and Sheinā€™s growth ā€“ and Amazon (AMZN+1.90%) may benefit. As new trade regulations hit, the fast-fashion giants may need to pivot to keep pace with Amazon.

Elsewhere, Googleā€™s (GOOGL+2.38%) set to report earnings on Tuesday after markets close. Analysts are forecasting the tech giant to report over $96 billion in revenue for its fiscal fourth quarter.

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The doozy of tariffs, explained

As trade tensions continue to rise, Trumpā€™s tariff policies are back in the spotlight.

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From raising prices on imported goods or shifting manufacturing back to the U.S., the effects are complex. This is largely because global supply chains are more interconnected than ever before.

Ultimately, the higher costs get passed down to consumers, who end up paying more for things like cars, groceries, and gas.

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But how do tariffs actually work, and whatā€™s the real impact? Quartzā€™s Harri Weber breaks it down.


Trumpā€™s tariffs could make your avocado toast more expensive

Trumpā€™s new tariffs are set to raise food and beverage prices, with imports from Canada, Mexico, and China most affected.

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Starting Feb. 4, items like avocados, tequila, and pineapples could cost more, forcing businesses to adjust. While Mexico and Canadaā€™s tariffs are delayed until March, Canada has already retaliated, removing U.S. alcohol from shelves.

What are the top 10 food items that could see price hikes? Quartzā€™s Francisco Velasquez breaks it down.

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šŸ’² Trump says the pain from his tariffs will be worth it. Hereā€™s how it affects your wallet ā€” and taxes

šŸ’Š Trumpā€™s tariffs could exacerbate drug shortages and raise prices, industry warns

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šŸŖ™ Trumpā€™s tariffs have slammed the crypto market and crypto stocks. Hereā€™s why

šŸš€ Ontario is ā€˜ripping upā€™ its contract with Elon Muskā€™s Starlink to protest Trumpā€™s tariffs on Canada

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ā˜• The 10 most expensive espresso machines ā€” because ā€˜espressoā€™ queen Sabrina Carpenter won a Grammy

šŸŒļø Bitcoin rebounds to $100,000 after falling to $95,000 as Trumpā€™s trade war shakes up the markets

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šŸšļø Climate change could wipe out almost $1.5 trillion from U.S. home values, study says

šŸŒ 5 cities that have the most green space in the world


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Our best wishes on a safe start to the day. Send any news, comments, Google predictions, or tariff comments to talk@qz.com. Todayā€™s Daily Brief was brought to you by Francisco Velasquez and Audrey McNamara.